Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Paul Lo Duca -- Lo Duca returns after spending 2009 out of baseball entirely. He should be as healthy as he's going to get but I'm not sure a full year away at the age of 38 does much good. The Rockies see him as insurance at catcher (check) first base (check) and outfield ( ). Not quite comfortable checking off on that one. It's also known he won't accept a minor league assignment.

Jordan Pacheco -- Pacheco is invited as a catcher but can play all around the infield as well. Not a lot of power here, but has a .303 average with a .375 OBP is three minor league seasons. Those are encouraging numbers that make him at least worth monitoring.

Paul Phillips -- I like Paul. He was a huge part of the 11 game win streak last June when Iannetta was injured and Torrealba was attending to his personal matters. During that stretch, Phillips was 6-for-11 with RISP. Small sample, but that almost was enough to qualify him as the most clutch Rockie in 2010. His defense wasn't too shabby. Quality depth guy.

Wilin Rosario -- The Rockies #7 prospect is at least a year, probably two years away from the big leagues. The Rocks will hope Miguel Olivo can bridge that gap. His arm and defensive are generating most of the buzz surrounding him. How his offensive skills develop will be something worth monitoring, but if Chris Iannetta explodes with the bat, as I expect him to do, then Rosario can slide in there as the defensive compliment whose offense is a bonus, not a necessity.